Atmospheric protected flexible joint for building units



May 17, 1938.- w. E. s. STRONG ATMOSPHERIC PROTECTED FLEXIBLE JOINT FORBUILDING UNITS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12, 1935 INVENTOR v a D.

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1 TORNEY May 17, 1938. w, E, s STRONG 2,117,377

ATMOSPHERIC PROTECTED FLEXIBLE JOINT FOR BUILDING UNITS Filed Dec. 12,1935 2 Shee1s-$heet 2 Zo ZQC 1: If H l4- INVENTOR William ESSfrongPatented May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATMOSPHERIC PROTECTEDFLEXIBLE JOINT FOR BUILDING UNITS Application December 12, 1935, SerialNo. 54,028

6 Claims.

.My present invention relates to joints for building units arranged andconstructed to be protected from the atmosphere.

Preferred embodiments of my invention pro- 5 vide for flexibility of thejoint thus arranged and constructed.

As illustrations of the present invention I cite two types ofembodiments, one type which is :adapted for interconnection betweenadjacent units coordinated in side-by-side relationship to form awallassembly, and the other type adapted for. coordination between thejams,,lintel and sill of awindow, door or like frame relative to theretoadjacent units forming a thereto surrounding Wall assembly.

In thevarioustypes of embodiment of thepresent invention there areprovided coordinated re-l cesses opening out in contiguous faces of therespectivewallunits, in the above named one type andsimilar recesses inthe respective stated frame parts and the thereto adjacent wall units,.in which recesses a cement, preferably elastic when set, is applied andstrips of suitable material, such as of. metal, advantageously of steel,are

positioned, one strip for each pair of coordinated recesses, each stripbeing imbedded in the cernent of such pair of coordinated recesses,whereby upon setting, i. e.,.matun'ng of the cement in any pair of suchrecesses, its strip is firmly retained in position, and therewith theadjacent wall units, in the one type, and the stated frame parts andthereto adjacent wall units, in the other type, are aligned and lockedin position relative to one another.

.By such or equivalent provision of means, the joints between therespective adjacentwall units and the frame parts and thereto adjacentwall .units are protected from the effects of the outer atmosphere.

As will appear, my invention affords provision for expansion andcontraction. arising from changes intemperature ensuing from temperaturechanges of the outer atmosphere and/or from temperature changes incidentto the. heating of the interior of the building or the like of which thewall assembly forms apart.

Further features and objectsof my invention will'be more fullyunderstood from the following detail description and the accompanyingdraw- :50 ings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation and Fig. 2 an edge viewof a typical building unit adapted for utilization of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through a building unit of the charactershown in Figs. land 2, and

a thereto adjacent cement covered vertical column, the same beingcoordinated pursuant to my invention. The scale ofFig. 3 is enlarged ascomparedwith: that of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, butillustrative of two adjacent building units of the character shown inFigs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section centrally through a metal window frame andthereto adjacent building units, illustrating the application of myinvention, similarly as in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the type of embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs.1 through 4, a typical unit of a wall assembly for a building or thelike is indicated at ID, the essentials of which, so far as pertains tomy invention, are that the unit be formed of suitable material providingan exposed face H resistant against erosion arising from; atmosphericconditions; further, that such unit l have mating lateral faces, see l2,l2, Fig. 4, usually normal to the exposed face I l andplanar; and, stillfurther, that each lateral face I 2 be provided with a recess I 3.Accordingly, such recesses l3 of any given unit extend as a groove aboutthe complete lateral periphery of the unit.

Desirably, such recesses and resulting lateral groove l3 are locatedmore closely adjacent the exposed face of each unit as compared with theinner face M of the unit.

The configuration of such recess or groove l3 may be as desired. Thespacing of such recess 13 of the respective wall units of any given wallassembly, relative to the exposed face II, is uni:

form, whereby upon positioning the wall units in side-by-siderelationship in horizontal courses and vertical superposition of suchcourses, the recesses or grooves l3 are brought into substantialalignment as coordinating pairs.

The specific construction, i. e., material and arrangement of outer andinner elements, reinforcement of the material of the respective outerand inner elements shown in Figs. 1 through 4, is set forth and claimedin my co-pending application Ser. No. 727,383, filed May 25th, 1934,entitled Composite building units, and therefore the detail descriptionof the same is deemed not essential in the present application, sincethe principles of my present invention are applicable irrespective ofthe stated specific parts.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 4, upon assembli suchwall units I 0,19, etc. in side-by-side relationship, cement indicated at I is appliedin the respective recesses or grooves I3, and also a strip iii, of steelor the like, positioned within each pair of coordinated recesses orgrooves at contiguous lateral faces l2, l2, of adjacent units In, I0,each strip I6 being of a width to extend from one such recess [3 intothe other coordinating recess l3, and thus bridging or spanning thejoint I 1 resulting upon assembling two such units l0, l0, inside-by-side relationship.

Advantageously, such wall units H], are successively assembled along ahorizontal course, assuming any suitable foundation upon which thelowermost horizontal course of the units ID are laid.

The length of each strip I6 is selected as desired. Preferably, eachstrip It has a length exceeding the length of the groove of anyindividual wall unit, and most advantageously a length of the combinedover-all length of the aligned grooves of a multiple number of such wallunits.

In the instances, as preferred, where the length of the strips i6exceeds the length of the groove of any individual wall unit, therespective strips I6 are positioned within the aligned grooves at theproper stages in the assembly of the respective wall units. Thus, in theassembly along a horizontal course, the strips I6 of such multiplelength are readily positioned upon assembling the wall unitsside-by-side, in horizontal direction, in the thus aligned horizontalgrooves of such units. With respect to the pairs of coordinatedvertically extending grooves, the respective strips 16 are forced intothe cement applied within the grooves and after full insertion, extendvertically beyond the wall units of such horizontal course. Upon layingof the wall units of the succeeding horizontal course, care is taken ofthe registry of the horizontally extending grooves on the lower face ofthe unit with the theretofore positioned horizontally extending strips,the cement having been previously applied within the grooves on thelower faces of the respective wall units.

The cement may be advantageously applied within any groove by means ofa. pressure gun appliance, or equivalent. Optimum results are attainedby filling each groove substantialy completely, whereby upon insertionof a strip I6, displacement of the cement takes place upon the immersionof the strip within the cement, causing a flow of the cement from thevolumetric capacity of each groove outwardly and within the crevice ofthe joint.

The stated phase of efiectuating the positioning of the cement,particularly present day so-termed elastic cement, is of markedimportance, in that such type of cement contains an ingredient whichimparts the elastic attribute, which when subjected to the atmosphere,deteriorates by oxidation or other atmospheric eiTect.

By my invention, as stated above and as embodied in practice, the facialarea of the cement, in the crevice of each joint between adjacent wallunits (both outwardly in the direction of the exposed faces of the unitsand in the opposing direction, 1. e. toward the inner faces of theunits) exposed to the atmosphere, is minute as compared with the totalfacial area of the cement in such joint directly engaging the surfacesof the adjacent units. of such joint, and therefore the atmosphericeffect upon the elastic cement pursuant to my invention is substantiallynil. The volumetric value of the strip is selected, whereby uponcompletion of the assembly of adjacent wall units and consequent totalimmersion of the strip, complete filling of the two mutually relatedrecesses is effected, and also the flow of cement (in excess of thetotal volumetric capacity of such two mutually related recesses) intothe crevice of the joint, in both the directions, as aforesaid.

The cement thus or otherwise disposed in the crevice of each jointserves to seal each joint, and thereby seal the inner face of the wallassembly from the outer atmosphere.

It is observed, and as is shown by tests, that upon insertion andsubsequent total immersion of each strip within the mass of cement inthe respective grooves, any void in such mass, possibly arising in thestage of applying the cement into a groove, is eradicated.

Fig. 3 illustrates another application of my invention, pursuant to theabove; like parts are designated by like reference characters. Fig. 3,in particular, illustrates the embodiment of my invention applied tovertically superposed wall units it! and a layer or coating l8 ofcementitious or other suitable material secured about a column l9, suchas a corner column or intermediate column of a building or otherstructure, or the like. 7

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a preferred manner of adaptation of myinvention, similarly as above, to the parts of a frame 20, such as for awindow, door or the like, relative to building units laid adjacent theperipheral members of such frame 20. In the embodiment of my inventionshown in Figs. 5 and 6, each groove in the faces of the wall units isdesignated l3, similarly as above, the cement l5 and the strip l6. Forcoordinating with such building units 10 or the like, the peripheralmembers of such frame 20 are provided with recesses, advantageouslyrecess-providing formations when the frame is of metal construction.Thus the sill member 20a of such frame, usually hollow, is provided atits lowermost horizontally extending surface, with a recess formation,see 20b, Fig. 5, in coordination with a recess l3 of the theretoabutting building unit Ill of the thereto lower horizontal course. Thelintel 200 of the frame is shown. likewise provided with a recessformation, see 20d, at its upper, horizontally extending face, abuttingthe horizontally extending face of the building unit !0 of the theretoadjacent upper horizontal course.

Similarly, as illustrated in Fig. 6, my invention is applied to the jammembers 20d by providing a recess formation 20c coordinating with thealigned grooves l3 of the vertically superposed wall units It, adjacentthereto.

The assembly of wall units relative to a window or other frame or thelike indicated by 20 in Figs. 5 and 6, is had by applying a properquantity of cement within the horizontally aligned grooves l3 of thewall units at the lower margin of the opening of the window, door or thelike. Then a length of strip I6 is placed within the cement mass, andthe sill member 20a positioned thereover, whereupon the strip 1 6 iswholly immersed,

causing the cement l 5 to completely fill the volumetric capacity of therecess formation 2% and to be exuded forwardly and rearwardly thereofwithin the crevice of the joint thereat. The assembly of the succeedinghorizontal course is then carried out, as, firstly, at one side of theframe opening or frame 20, and upon completion of the necessary numberof vertically superposed wall units at such one side of the frame,cement having been applied in the mutually related grooves, similarly asabove, a strip l6 immersed from above to displace the determined propor--Ifi tion of the cement from such grooves into the recess formation 20aof the jam member 20d at such side of the frame. The wall units at theopposite side of the frame opening are then placed in position and asimilar operation carried out with respect to the application of thecement and insertion and immersion of a strip l6. Then the units of thehorizontal course immediately above the frame 20 are placed in position,succeeding the step of application of the cement in the horizontallyextending recess formation 20d of the lintel member 200 of the frame 20.

Accordingly, my invention in its various embodiments provides for thejointing of coordinated wall or other units to one another and withrespect to a frame or the like included in a wall assembly, whereby thecrevices of the joints are sealed against air and weather leakage. Inthe preferred embodiments of my invention, utilizing a cement or thelike of elastic quality, the jointing is accomplished with a degree offlexibility and assurance of relatively long life.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a building construction having the joints between joined adjacentstructure weather-- proofed, open-face grooves provided in respectivecontiguous faces of the joined structure for mutual coordination inproviding a laterally enclosed recess running substantially coextensivelengthwise with the joint between respective structures andcommunicating with the joinder cracks between respective contiguousfaces, originally-plastic sealing material within said recess, andmeans, positioned in said recess and extending substantiallycoextensively lengthwise therewith, eifecting displacement of a quantityof the said sealing material into the extension of said joint betweenrespective structures.

2. In a building construction having the joints between joined adjacentstructure weatherproofed, open-face grooves provided in respectivecontiguous faces of the joined structure for mutual coordination inproviding a laterally enclosed recess running substantially coextensivelengthwise with the joint between respective structures andcommunicating with the joinder cracks between respective contiguousfaces, originally-plastic sealing material within said recess, andstrip-means, positioned in said recess, said strip means beingsubstantially coextensive lengthwise with the recess and having a widthapproximating the Width thereof and effecting displacement of a quantityof the said originallyplastic material'into the said joinder cracksbetween respective structures.

3. In building construction having respective contiguous faces of joinedstructure provided with an open-face groove, the said groovescoordinating mutually to provide a laterally enclosed recess runningsubstantially coextensively lengthwise with the joint between saidcontiguous faces and communicating with the joinder cracks along thelengths thereof, the method of Weather-proofing said joint comprising,substantially filling said laterally enclosed recess with a plasticmaterial, inserting means of a length substantially coextensive with thelength of the recess but of a volume less than the volume of the recess,Within said recess to displace plastic material from said recess intothe said joinder cracks.

4. In building construction having respective contiguous faces of joinedstructure provided with an open-face groove, the said groovescoordinating mutually to provide a laterally enclosed recess runningsubstantially coextensively lengthwise with the joint between saidcontiguous faces and communicating with the joinder cracks along thelengths thereof, the method of weather-proofing said joint comprising,substantially filling said laterally enclosed recess with a plasticmaterial, inserting strip-means of a length substantially coextensivewith the length of the recess and of a width approximating the widththereof but of a volume less than the volume of the recess, within saidrecess to displace plastic material from said recess into the saidjoinder cracks, and filling, if necessary, with additional plasticmaterial, any space remaining around said strip-means to effectivelyencase said strip-means within said recess.

5. In a building construction, a weather-sealed joint formed betweencontiguous faces of adjoining structure, comprising a laterally closedrecess running lengthwise of said contiguous faces, spaced inwardly fromthe margins thereof, and communicating with the joinder cracks betweencontiguous faces; originally-plastic sealing material filling saidrecess and extending into said joinder cracks; and means embedded insaid plastic material effecting displacement of a portion of same intosaid joinder cracks.

6, In a building construction, a weather-sealed joint formed betweencontiguous faces of adjoining structure, comprising a substantiallyclosed recess running lengthwise of said contiguous faces and spacedinwardly from the margins thereof with its width extending across thelines of joinder formed by said contiguous faces; sealing materialfilling said recess, and a strip-element embedded in said sealingmaterial and extending substantially coextensive lengthwise of saidrecess and across the said lines of joinder between the contiguousfaces.

WILLIAM E. S. STRONG.

